Bringing Back the Bikes (and Scooters!)

Marlene Feist, 509.625.6505

Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at 4:05 p.m.

Updated 5/9/2019

WheelShare bikes and scooters are slated to hit the streets of Spokane on Monday, May 13, coinciding with Bike Everywhere Month.

Following a successful pilot program last fall, the City is launching a new permanent WheelShare program that allows electric-assist bikes and electric scooters to be checked out and used for a small rental fee. The program provides a great option to see the University District Gateway Bridge featured in yesterday’s community celebration. Lime, the same company that operated the pilot, will be back as the operator for the permanent program.

The new program includes some basic rules of operation that were approved by Council in March and designed to allow the program to operate smoothly and safely. Here’s what users need to know:

  • Know your Location. Bike and scooter users need to ride in the street or in the bike lanes in the downtown core to avoid conflict with pedestrians on the sidewalks. See the attached map. Outside of downtown on streets with speed limits higher than 30, scooters should be ridden on the sidewalk.
  • Watch your Speed. Bike and scooter speed limits are 15 mph on the Centennial Trail, and 7 mph within Riverfront Park. Scooter speed will automatically be regulated down to about 7 mph in Riverfront Park.
  • Ride Safely. Helmets are encouraged for all WheelShare users. And, users are asked to be considerate riders and watch for conflicts with other users of the streets, sidewalks, and trails. Helmets will be available at various locations in the City. Please contact Lime for more information.

Lime uses a dockless system allowing bikes to be parked at essentially any location. Each bike has the necessary equipment for rental. Last fall, more than 148,000 rides were taken, most of them on scooters.

To rent a bike, citizens must be 18 years old and will need to download the Lime app. The links to the app are on the City’s web site, and people also can find them on the iPhone App Store or Android Google Play.

More information on WheelShare and the pilot program is found on the City’s web site. A media availability also is scheduled as part of the Bike to Work Week pancake breakfast kickoff at the Ice Ribbon in Riverfront Park at 6 a.m. on Monday, May 13.

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